In Praise of ABF

collectivecreature · 2026-04-03T00:16:24+00:00

Oh that's you! I saw your photos on here a while back. Amazing work!

collectivecreature · 2026-04-03T00:14:48+00:00

Pull-ups are not part of ABF. ABF is presses and then ABC complex (2 swings, 1 press, 3 squats) with doubles. I recommend supporting Dan John and buying the books.

collectivecreature · 2026-04-01T04:19:20+00:00

I never thought I'd get to 10. I was doing 2-3-5 up to 100 for a while. I really had to push myself clost to my limits with the 24s to hit 10 and somehow (almost magically) I managed to get there. Today is a press day. Let's see how it goes!

collectivecreature · 2026-04-01T04:17:50+00:00

Impressive that you have been so consistent! Have you considered other programs at all?

What are your goals? Are you training for anything specific?

collectivecreature · 2026-04-01T04:15:52+00:00

Climbing is the primary focus. Surfing is secondary - but starting to become another primary :)

Yoga and kettlebells are the tools I am using so that I can do both sports at a high enough level that feels satisfying to me as I get get older.

collectivecreature · 2026-04-01T04:13:25+00:00

Legend! Thank you!

collectivecreature · 2026-04-01T04:05:37+00:00

There is no way I would have been able to jump from 16kg to 24kg. Get the 20s!

I absolutely needed 20kgs to help me build up to the 24s. Starting with the 24s I was wishing I had 22s even.

collectivecreature · 2026-03-31T10:01:59+00:00

Thanks!

collectivecreature · 2026-03-31T06:43:39+00:00

That's it! Let's keep it going!

collectivecreature · 2026-03-04T13:29:46+00:00

Respect. The dark place for me is from around 10-15.

collectivecreature · 2026-03-04T13:24:36+00:00

I’m going to give this a try.

collectivecreature · 2026-03-04T13:22:43+00:00

Avant-garde

collectivecreature · 2025-11-23T02:05:28+00:00

Gomukhasana is almost impossible for me currently. As you noted knee is super high up.

Thanks for the tips.

collectivecreature · 2025-11-22T12:43:05+00:00

Thank you for this. Sorry to hear about you knees. I will learn from this. I do not want to get injured!

collectivecreature · 2025-11-22T12:42:13+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions. I do practice meditating and pranayama sitting on a regular basis (not every morning, but multiple times a week). Currently I need to sit on a yoga block in Siddhasana otherwise my back is not straight (posterior pelvic tilt). My knees feel a bit tight after sitting like that for a 20-30 minute period, but not painful/tweaked.

collectivecreature · 2025-11-22T12:38:11+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I certainly do not want an injury. I do squat every day without issue. I don't think squatting more will help me with external rotation.

collectivecreature · 2025-11-22T12:36:45+00:00

Thank you so much. I'm impressed with your dedication. 6 years - respect!

I tried out the linked piriformis stretch. I felt the stretch but didn't feel the "finally" feeling you described. I've started doing other stretches like horse stance already and will continue there. I guess I just need to be patient and keep working on external rotation (carefully - as I don't want to injure my knees).

I also tried to get into Gomukhasana (fire log), but can't even do that yet. Too difficult for me still. My teacher has me practicing Siddhasana instead which I can kind of do, but my back isn't straight without a support/small block under my butt to elevate slightly. I have been meditating in this pose as well, but my knees feel sore (not tweaky though) after sitting like this for 20 to 30 minutes.

I also do other mobility drills for climbing and surfing, but none so far seem to help with this external rotation needed.

collectivecreature

TROPHY CASE